Hip-hop’s favorite on-again couple, Nelly and Ashanti, are officially letting fans into their world. The pair—who shocked many by rekindling their romance a decade after a very public split—are now starring in a new Peacock reality series titled Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together, which premieres this Thursday.
In a candid interview with CNN, the couple spoke about love, parenthood, and privacy, offering fans a rare glimpse into their life after reconciliation. The show follows their whirlwind journey—from rekindling old flames to getting married, having a baby, and building a blended family.
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Keeping Baby “KK” Out of the Spotlight
One thing viewers won’t see clearly? The face of their newborn son, Kareem Kenkaide “KK” Haynes, born in July 2024. The couple made the deliberate choice to keep their baby’s identity private in the series.
“I left that totally up to her… This is her first child and I can only imagine the anxiety that comes with that,” Nelly said, respecting Ashanti’s desire for privacy.
While Nelly already has four children—two biological and two adopted after his sister’s passing—this marks Ashanti’s first time as a mother, and she’s balancing it with a career that’s still on fire.
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From Breakup to Baby
Fans may recall that Nelly and Ashanti first dated in 2003, becoming one of the early 2000s’ most beloved couples before breaking up in 2013. The split was dramatic—and very public—which is why their 2021 on-stage reunion during a Verzuz battle had everyone buzzing.
“The block was closed for a long time,” Ashanti joked. But Nelly added, “If the good outweighs the bad, why not spin the block?”
And that’s exactly what they did. The couple got back together in 2023, confirmed their engagement and pregnancy in April 2024, and later revealed that they had actually secretly married in December 2023.
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Music, Fashion, and Family Life
The show also spotlights their individual pursuits—Ashanti juggling motherhood and music, while Nelly revives his Apple Bottom fashion line. There’s no shortage of drama, either: they address everything from Nelly’s controversial performance at Donald Trump’s Liberty Ball to Ashanti’s past with the late Irv Gotti, who died in February.
But the vibe remains playful. When asked about the rumors of baby number two, Ashanti responded:
“Listen, I’m focused on KK’s first birthday coming up on July 18th… Obviously we want to have more.”
To which Nelly cheekily added:
“I’m doing my part. It ain’t like we ain’t trying.”
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A Second Act for the Culture
While Nelly has been here before with his 2014 BET series Nellyville, Ashanti admits she was hesitant.
“I’m a little bit more private… But you know, when you get married, you trust your person.”
And trust has brought them full circle—offering fans not just a love story, but a testament to growth, forgiveness, and new beginnings.
Nelly and Ashanti: We Belong Together premieres Thursday on Peacock.
